This weekend I had a chance to go search for some lizards and salamander in Tuskegee National Forest. Given that Alabama is one of the biological hotspots for reptiles and amphibians in the US, I was hoping to see some animals I’ve never seen before. It was a clear cold morning (0-10°C). Continue reading →

Is it possible to grow human organs in another animal? Scientists from the Salk Institute reckon they are a step closer in doing so. This leads us closer to the reality where human organs can be grown from in a lab and transplanted into people who need a new organ. Continue reading →

Dance is like wine; it matures with every performance.– Alarmel Valli (classical Indian dancer)

Unfortunately, this is not the case for male blue-footed boobies (Sula nebouxii). In their world, males show off their extravagant blue feet and “dance” to attract females. The more brighter the blue on your foot, the more attractive you are because this shows that you know how to take care of yourself.
A study by Torres and Velando (2007) showed that older males, while more experienced, are not as attractive because they cannot keep their bright coloured blue foot. Unfortunately, as the birds age, their immune system gets weaker and their body can not dedicate so much energy into making their feet look nice as much as they want to.

Here’s a great video of what the dance looks like!

Fun fact: The name “booby” comes from the Spanish word “bobo” which means clown!

Some parents go above and beyond to ensure that their child has the best chance of being successful. But can too much of a good thing be bad? It’s tim for fact #2 on Some Might Science! Continue reading →

The Camelback shrimp (Rhynchocinetes durbanensis)is commonly well-known as “Durban dancing shrimp” and “hingeback shrimp” among scuba divers for their cherry red colour, small size, and humpback making them popular subjects photography. Continue reading →